Pharmacognosy MSc

The UCL School of Pharmacy has an international reputation in natural drug discovery and the evaluation of drug leads from natural sources. This MSc has been designed in response to ever-increasing interest in the development and use of medicines derived from natural products

Key Information

Modes and duration

Full-time: 1 year

Tuition Fees (2015/16)

UK/EU:

£10,765 (FT)

Overseas:

£21,530 (FT)

Application deadlines

All applicants:

31 July 2015

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or the pharmaceutical, chemical, biological or medical sciences, or a related field, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

English Language Requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

International students

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.

Select your country:

International equivalencies

Degree Information

This programme aims to train students in the methods used to analyse and characterise medicinal natural products, to examine the safety and efficacy of currently used herbal medicines, analytical and bioassay methods, and the ethnopharmaceutical uses of plants from traditional systems of medicines.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of four core modules (120 credits), and a research dissertation (60 credits).

Core Modules

Analytical Techniques in Pharmacognosy

Therapeutic Uses of Plants – Benefits and Risks

Methods in Pharmacognosy

Therapeutic Natural Products and Ethnopharmacology

Options

There are no optional modules for this programme.

Dissertation/report

Alll students undertake a four-month research project in the third term which culminates in a dissertation. Topics range from natural product isolation and characterisation, synthesis, analysis, and a survey of medicinal products used in the community.

Teaching and Learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory-based practical classes. Assessment is through a combination of written examinations, coursework and practical assignments, and the research project and oral presentation.

Further information on modules and degree structure available on the department web site
Pharmacognosy MSc

Funding

Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below. For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

Recent graduates of this programme have progressed on to careers in herbal, phytopharmaceutical or health food sectors. Some are involved in drug discovery while others pursue a PhD in the UK or overseas.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The programme provides a broad overview of natural product science, the impact of natural products as medicines, their analysis and their place in various societies.

Specifically the programme covers herbal medicines in healthcare, their safety and efficacy and with examples of natural products as medicines. There will also be lectures on the analysis of natural products and their place in the drug discovery process.

A visit to an industrial manufacturer of herbal medicinal products will take place.

Application and next steps

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

Who can apply?

This programme is designed for students wishing to pursue a natural sciences oriented career in research and development in the herbal, phytopharmaceutical or (health) food sector as well as drug discovery.